Help sought to spread drowning-prevention pamphlets

>> What: Group or individual volunteers are needed for Chandler Fire Department’s door-to-door campaign to distribute drowning-prevention materials. They must provide their own transportation to their assigned neighborhoods. Those wishing to volunteer should call 480-782-2141.

With the mindset that even one drowning is too many, the Chandler Fire Department is asking for volunteers to spread the word about water safety.

This year’s campaign gets under way March 30, when volunteers will go door to door through neighborhoods passing out informational materials.

The theme of the campaign is “Eye to Eye to Supervise,” and it seeks to educate the public about the importance of direct and constant adult supervision of children around water.

“Last year, we once again received great public support for the Drowning Prevention Campaign,” Chandler Fire Chief Jeff Clark said. “Unfortunately, the community still experienced 18 drowning incidents that resulted in at least one child fatality.”

Clark said the campaign would most heavily target the southeastern portion of the city, where most of the incidents occurred.

This is the third year the department has enlisted the help of volunteers to spread its message. Volunteers are asked to gather at 9 a.m. March 30 at Fire Station No. 10 at 5211 S. McQueen Road. Volunteers will be divided into smaller groups and assigned a specific neighborhood, where they will leave informational materials at each home.

Individuals as well as groups are encouraged to take part. Those under age 18 must be accompanied by a parent or responsible adult.

The materials outline homeowners’ responsibilities for securing pools and other bodies of water on their property and emphasize the need for adults to supervise children around water and teach children to swim. The door hangers also emphasize learning to perform cardiopulmonary resuscitation in case of emergency.

“If everyone can come together and support this campaign, I know we can prevent more tragedies,” Clark said. “Please join us in our efforts to eliminate childhood drownings.”

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